Dallas, TX — November 16, 2024, a man was injured following a car accident at approximately 10:30 p.m. along Maple Avenue.

According to authorities, two people—a 38-year-old man from Heartland and a 27-year-old man—were traveling in a southeast bound Toyota Corolla on Maple Avenue at the Hawthorne Avenue intersection when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a northwest bound Ford F-150 pickup truck on Maple attempted a left turn onto Hawthorne at an apparently unsafe time, failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. This resulted in a collision between front-right of the Ford and the front-end of the Toyota.

The Heartland man reportedly suffered serious injuries over the course of the accident. No other injuries have been reported. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see reports like this, my main concern is whether the man who was injured and his loved ones will receive the answers they need about how the crash occurred and why. Accidents involving vehicles making left turns are often assumed to be the result of simple driver error, but my experience tells me there’s frequently more to the story. That’s why it's essential to ask three critical questions any time a serious collision occurs.

The first question is whether authorities have conducted a thorough investigation. While it’s reported that the Ford F-150 attempted a left turn and failed to yield, it’s important to look deeper. Were the sight lines at the intersection clear, or were they obstructed by buildings, signage, or poor lighting? Was the Toyota traveling at a reasonable speed for the area? Did the left-turning driver misjudge the distance, or was another factor at play? Without a comprehensive investigation—including diagrams, measurements, witness statements, and possibly video footage from nearby businesses—there’s a risk that conclusions will be drawn too quickly.

The second question is whether anyone has looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect. If the Ford F-150 had malfunctioning turn signals, steering components, or brakes, that could have contributed to the failure to yield. Similarly, if the Toyota Corolla’s brakes didn’t engage properly or its airbags failed to deploy during the collision, that could have made the crash more severe than it otherwise would have been. These kinds of mechanical failures can only be identified through a detailed forensic examination, and that opportunity disappears if the vehicles aren’t preserved.

Finally, it's critical to determine whether all relevant electronic data has been collected. Both vehicles likely contain engine control modules that can record data in the moments leading up to a crash—such as speed, throttle position, and brake use. Surveillance footage from nearby intersections or dashcams may also reveal valuable information. Additionally, cellphone data or GPS logs could confirm travel paths and timing. Without this information, it becomes much harder to confirm or challenge the narrative laid out in the initial report.

At the end of the day, answering these questions could be essential to understanding what really happened and why. A thorough examination of all three of these issues—including the quality of police investigations, possible vehicle defects, and electronic data—is the least that can be done to ensure that those affected by the crash receive the clarity they deserve.